About Our Patron
Mary MacKillop was born in Fitzroy, Victoria, 1842. Her family often faced financial difficulty, and she worked three jobs at the age of 16 to support her family. During her time working in Penola, she was inspired by her mentor, Fr Julian Tennison-Woods, to begin the first St Joseph’s School for children of poor families who could not afford an education. Many other young women were inspired and flocked to Mary MacKillop, and the congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph and the Sacred Heart had begun. The sisters of St Joseph were a mobile “strike force” able to move in groups of 2-3 to accommodate the needs of many outback and rural communities, as opposed to settling in one area in a convent. Throughout her life, Mary faced many hardships and trials: ill-health, opposition from Church leaders, and many other persecutions. Through all these trials, Mary was patient and persevering. Today, the Sisters of St Joseph are active around Australia, New Zealand, Peru, West Papua, and Timor-Leste. The Josephites embody the spirit of Mary MacKillop, working with the homeless, the refugee, the Aboriginal, the lonely, and the lost. They endeavour to reverence human dignity of all and to change unjust structures. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop stands as a modern example of great courage and trust in God’s compassionate and loving care for those in need.
About our Josephite Charism
St Joseph’s College is a school linked to the Josephite Charism, following the traditions of the Sisters of St Joseph and the Sacred Heart. To be a Josephite means taking courageous and practical action. Following in the example of St Mary, staff and students are challenged to live courageous lives, unshackled by convention, creative in their outlook, and eager to change the world they lead. Mary’s story is one of resilience and perseverance, qualities that the St Joseph’s Graduate will develop during their time at the College. Josephites are driven by a desire for justice and support for the voiceless. In living out our motto, "Courage to Love, Learn and Serve", staff and students embody the Josephite spirit to perform selfless acts of service for the needs of our community.